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Chapter 7

Stephanie's POV

I woke and reached to the empty space beside me. I heard the shower running and I assumed my thinking position, trying to prepare myself for what we had ahead of us. I heard the shower turn off and Ranger exited the bathroom with a towel hung low on his hips. Our eyes met and he crossed to me, kneeling on at the side of the bed. His eyes never left mine as he turned me into a pile of goo with one passionate kiss.

"Do we have to go?" I stuck my lip out in a fake pout and he leaned down, kissing me and grabbing my bottom lip with his teeth.

"We are almost to shore Babe; time to get dressed." He stood, dropping his towel and replacing it with black board shorts. He turned and the site of his bare chest made me wonder how hard it would be to coax him back to bed. "I'd love to Babe, but I wouldn't have enough time to do to you what I want." I blushed, realizing that I had once again let the words in my head slip out of my mouth. Ranger pulled on a tight red t-shirt and flip flops. I took his look in and smiled. "We are tourist today Babe. Have your bags ready before you head up. You have forty five minutes until the car gets here." He kissed me one more time and headed out of door.

I crossed to the bathroom and took a quick shower. I moisturized and put on a sapphire colored bikini and wrapped a bright multi colored sarong around my waist. I went into the bathroom and pulled my hair up on one side, securing it with my art deco comb. I put gel in the side that was left down, taming my curls slightly. I went with light makeup and an extra shot of Dolce Vita. I packed my bags and put on a pair of wedge sandals that laced up my legs. I put a silver cuff around my upper arm and large silver hoop earrings. I looked at myself in the mirror and slid on my sunglasses. I grabbed my bag containing my things I wanted with me, and headed above deck. When I got there, Lester was drinking a mimosa. He turned and saw me and a wicked smile came across his face.

"Beautiful, if my big brother wouldn't kill me, I'd be pulling you into a dark corner right now." He wiggled his eyebrows at me. I crossed to him and took the glass out of his hand, taking a long drink and then playfully smacked him on the cheek.

"Not even if you were the last man on earth. I've seen who you pull into dark corners." I grabbed a piece of bacon off the table and Lester rubbed his cheek. He leaned in behind me and whispered in my ear.

"You do realize your husband will shit bricks when he sees you in this outfit."

I leaned back into his chest. "Manny told me to bring my bikini. I am just following the requirements of the boat."

Bobby came into view then carrying a plate with an omelet and fruit. His eyes got wide when he saw me and I could see the sweat pop out on his forehead. "Good morning Mrs. Martinez. Ready to work on your tan I see." He sat the plate down in front of me and pulled my chair out for me.

"Thank you Robert. It looks wonderful." I looked up at him and winked and he quickly retreated back to the interior of the boat. Lester took a seat next to me remaking a drink to replace the one I stole. "So where is my husband?" I took a bite of the omelet and a moan escaped my lips.

Lester shook his head, "Beautiful, you don't even have any idea of the power you have. I think Manny might be right. Carlos is ashore finishing up a few errands. He should be back any minute."

I finished my breakfast and Bobby came and cleared the table. He had brought all of our bags up and they were lined up on the deck. I looked down the dock and saw Manny, Victor and Hector walking towards the boat. I started to get nervous that Ranger wasn't back yet. I trusted Lester to keep me safe, but I needed Ranger to give me the confidence to get through this. I then saw Ranger jogging down the dock towards the brothers. They stopped and all shook hands. Ranger and Manny took the lead and climbed on the boat. When he saw me setting next to Lester, Rangers jaw flexed. I could tell he was not very happy with my choice of clothing. He crossed to me and kissed me. The edge to his voice made my stomach flip.

"Babe."

I reached up and pulled him back to me. I kissed him and he ran his hand down my bare back. "I love you." I whispered while our lips were still connected. He pulled away and poked my nose. I leaned around him and smiled at the brothers as the made there way closer giving them a finger wave. "Good morning boys."

Victor smiled and politely nodded his head, then turn to look towards the sea. Hector and Manny looked at me like I was on the menu for breakfast and I stood then to stand in front of Ranger. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me tight against his body. I giggled as he kissed my neck.

"Carlos, I don't know how you let this woman out of your sight for so long. I would have a hard time leaving the bedroom if she was my wife." Manny laughed at his own joke and Hector's eyes kept journeying up and down my body. "I am surprised that you don't children yet."

I looked to the floor, "Well it's not for lack of trying Manny." Ranger's voice was stern and Manny gave a quick laugh.

"Well we need to get going." Victor was looking at his watch and we left the boat, leaving Bobby to deal with the bags. Once we had the luggage in the car, we were driven back to Manny's home where we had had drinks the night before. We quickly were ushered through the house and to the yacht that was waiting in all its glory at the dock. Ranger helped me on board and he escorted me to one of the lounge chairs next to the hot tub on deck. He pushed another chair against mine and lay back, pulling me into his side. I felt a little guilty, watching Bobby bring in our luggage and then stand on the deck at attention in dress pants, a button up shirt and jacket. It must have sucked to draw the short straw on this one.

The mooring lines were released and we were slowly heading out to sea. Lester came and sat on the other side of me, and the brothers were standing wandering around the deck. A small man, dressed in black shorts and a short sleeved white button up shirt brought a cart out of the kitchen. It contained fresh fruit and cheeses. Also there was, as Victor explained, plantain chips, Empanadas, and huge shrimp cocktails; and of course more mimosas and mojitos.

Ranger made a plate for me and handed me a mimosa, then made one for himself grabbing a mojito. We all made small talk, talking about the boat, their home, Cuban history. It was decided that the men would do some skeet shooting while I worked on my tan. They all retreated to the back of the boat and I untied my sarong and started soaking up the sun.

After jumping at the first few shots from the back of the boat, I started to feel the rhythm of the pull of clay pigeon and the bang of the gun. Suddenly my sun was being blocked. I opened one eye and Hector was standing over me, his eyes menacing. He licked his lips and laughed.

"Do you need some lotion so you don't burn? I would be happy to help you out." At that moment the back of the boat seem very far away.

"I appreciate the offer Hector, but that's Carlos' job. And he already took care of me." When he didn't move, I looked towards his hand and he was wiggling his finger. It made it seem like he was fighting the urge to put his hands on me anyway. I sat up, grabbed my drink and stepped in the hot tub. I placed my back in the corner, against the railing so he could not move behind me. He pulled his shirt off over his head and stepped in, setting in the opposite corner facing me. The look he was giving me caused me to bring my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them, making me as small as possible.

"Do I make you nervous Stephanie?" The corner of his mouth went up into a smirk. I realized that even in the sun and the hot water, I was shaking.

I smiled at him, thankful that I was wearing sunglasses so my eyes wouldn't give away my lie. "Of course not Hector. Why do I have a reason to be nervous?"

He laughed and stood, crossing the tub, putting a hand on either side of me. My knees hit his chest as he loomed over me.

"Oh how I love to watch beautiful women squirm." He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "I hope before you leave Cuba, I can feel you squirm under me. In fact I would make a bet on it."

I pushed my knees against his chest, pushing him away from me. "You must like parting with your money Hector. You'll learn over time. Never bet against me, and never bet against my husband. You will lose every time."

We heard the others returning from the back of the boat. Hector returned to the corner opposite me and lounged back, placing his arms on the top of the hot tub. I watched as Ranger came into view. I saw his jaw tense as he saw Hector in the hot tub with me. I gave him as casual of a smile as I could muster. My insides were churning and I was scared to death of the man in this small space with me. Ranger pulled his shirt over his head and stepped into the water. He lifted my up with one arm, taking the seat I was occupying and then placing me on his lap, surrounding me with his arms.

"Your woman seems all alone and neglected. I was just keeping her company Carlos. I hope you don't mind." Hector knew that I couldn't tell Carlos what had transpired between us. We were on his family's boat in the middle of the ocean and we were out numbered.

I leaned into Ranger and his arms tightened around me. He leaned down, kissing my neck and whispering into my ear, "Babe." That was his way of asking if I was okay. I squeezed his hand and leaned my head back against his chest.

"Hector doesn't know me very well. When Carlos is near, I am never neglected." I closed my eyes and let Ranger's presence calm me. Hector laughed and got out of the hot tub, heading into the interior of the boat. The other brothers followed, leaving my boys and me alone. Bobby stood against the rail; his eyes trained where the brothers went. Lester grabbed us all fresh drinks and jumped into the hot tub.

"Are you okay?" Ranger whispered in my ear, sending an electrical shock through my body. I nodded my head. He reached up and took my sunglasses off of my face. Looking into my eyes, I could tell he didn't believe me. One damn lone tear escaped from the corner of my eye. He wiped it away with his thumb and I quickly brought my lips to his. Our lips parted and he looked deep into my eyes. "I'm right here."

I lowered my head and placed it in the crook of his neck. Lester looked from me to Ranger and then in the direction the brothers retreated. I saw he and Ranger make a silent exchange and then Lester's eyes got an edge for a second; sharp as a razor. He then looked at me and his eyes softened and he winked.

"Drink up Beautiful. We still got long way to go."